Clip



Aug. 1, 1967 P. T. WHEELER 3,333,307

CLIP

Filed Feb. 24, 1965 ATTORNEYS United States Patent Filed Feb. 24, 1965, Se1'.No. 434,968 Claims. (31. z4--237 This invention relates to a spring clip. More particularly, this invention relates to a spring clip of the type adapted to affix one element to another.

Many types of clips and attachment elements are presently in existence. Many of these structures exhibit inherent disadvantages. First of all, certain of these structures are difiicult to fabricate and therefore excessively expensive. Further, such complexity of structure often discourages proper functioning and efiicient handling. Many of the structures cannot be affixed easily and oftentimes when only one hand is available for operation, they are impractical. Further, it is often important to have a clip which is automatically self-locking, and also capable of being permanently fastened. Additionally, the article being atfixed often lacks sufiicient freedom of movement after being afiixed.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved spring clip designed to be automatically opened by direct pressure against the object to which the clip is being fastened.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a clip which resists removal by direct pull on the object attached.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a clip which can be automatically locked with a simple operation.

An additional object of the invention is to provide such a clip which provides for complete freedom of movement of the article being afiixed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a clip which is especially adapted to aifix tags of various size, description and material to merchandise, such as price tags, instruction tags, and the like. The clip is also especially adapted to be used for afiixing other objects such as Christmas tree ornaments to evergreen tree branches, Additionally, the clip is so adaptable that it can be used in manufacturing and processing to aifix identification indicia to articles.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts upon reading the following specification, in conjunction with the acc0mpanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged plan view of an embodiment of a clip utilizing the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a tag affixed to the throat of the clip, the clip in the process of being attached; and

FIG, 4 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3, the attachment of the clip being completed.

Briefly, this invention relates to an attachment clip.

formed from an element exhibiting spring characteristics including a pair of arms adapted for movement in adja cent, generally parallel planes. Each of the arms is bent to include first portions extending toward one another and second portions extending in diverging directions. The first and second portions are positioned to facilitate spreading of the arms when pressure is applied between the free ends thereof and prevent spreading thereof when pressure is applied from the opposite direction.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, the reference numeral 1 designates a spring clip embodying the teachings of this invention. The attachment clip 1 is formed from an elongated, one-piece, wire-like element exhibiting spring characteristics. The element may be fabricated from any material exhibiting such characteristics. It should be understood that for reasons of clarity the drawing shows the clip in an enlarged, exaggerated fashion and in its preferred form the clip may be somewhat smaller in size. The clip is formed from the element to include a throat 2 and a pair of arms 10 and 20. The bends 11 and 21 in the legs form the throat which is adapted to receive the object to be affixed, such as the tag T as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The throat 2 is preferably elongated whereby complete freedom of movement is given to the article being affixed but it should be specifically understood that the shape of the throat may be modified to accommodate end usage.

It will be noted that the arms 10 and 20 lie in adjacent, generally parallel planes (FIG. 2). Since the clip is formed from an element exhibiting spring characteristics, the arms are adapted for movement in their respective adjacent, generally parallel planes. Each of the arms 10 and 20 is bent obtusely at 12 and 22, forming first portions 13 and 23 extending toward and overlapping one another. Preferably, the portions 13 and 23 are of an arcuate shape, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. The arms 10 and 20 are then bent again at 14 and 24 respectively, forming second portions 15 and 25 which extend in diverging directions at an angle of less than degrees.

When thus formed, the attachment clip 1 operates as follows. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a tag T is afiixed to the throat 2 of the clip, the tag 3 having complete freedom of movement as shown. To attach the clip and the tag, for example, to the branch B of a plant, One merely places the clip 1 adjacent the branch, the diverging second portions 15 and 25 lying against it. By simply directing pressure against the branch to which the clip is to be fastened, the second portions 15 and 25 automatically spread with re spect to one another because of their positioning. Continned pressure causes the branch B to snap past the bends 14 and 24, behind the first portions 13 and 23 of the arms. In this position, the branch B cannot be readily disengaged from the clip. This is because the first portions 13 and 23 will not spread when the branch applies force against them. Their positioning one with respect to the other simply prevents any spreading. Thus, by simply moving the clip in the direction shown by the arrow 30 (FIG. 3), the second portions 15 and 25 automatically spread in the direction shown by the arrows 31. The clip 1 is selflocking with respect to the branch B and resists removal by pull on the tag T. It should be noted that by interlocking the free end tips of the second portions 15 and 25 of the arms, the clip is absolutely locked to the branch B.

It will now be seen that this invention has provided a unique clip which may be adapted for the many uses as set out hereinbefore. The clip can be automatically fastened. It resists removal by direct pull. It can be absolutely locked with a simple movement. It provides complete freedom for the object being attached.

While only one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it might be possible to practice the invention through the utilization of certain other embodimerits without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Such other embodiments are to be considered a part of this invention unless the following claims specifically state otherwise.

I claim:

1. An attachment clip formed from an elongated, one piece, wire-like element exhibiting spring characteristics formed to include an elongated throat portion terminating with a pair of arms adapted for movement in adjacent, generally parallel planes, each of said arms bent obtusely to an arcuate shape to include first portions extending toward and overlapping one another to an extent substan tially equal to the width of an article to which the clip is to be attached and straight second portions extending in diverging directions at an angle of less than 180 degrees and cross each other to form with the overlapping portions of the first portions a generally heart-shaped loop, said first and second portions positioned to facilitate spreading of said arms when pressure is applied between the free ends thereof and prevent inadvertent spreading thereof when pressure is applied from the opposite direction.

2. An attachment clip formed from an element exhibiting spring characteristics including a pair of arms adapted for movement in adjacent, generally parallel planes, and having first portions spaced from each other to provide a space for receiving an article therebetween; each of said arms bent beyond the ends of said first portions to include second portions extending toward one another and third portions extending in diverging directions to form a V, said third portions positioned to facilitate spreading of said arms when pressure is applied between the free ends thereof by an article forced therebetween toward said space along a line dividing said V and passing through said space; and said second members extending in a direction toward said line so that the angle between said line and said second portions nearest said space is at least as great as 90 so as to prevent spreading of said arms when pressure is applied against said second portions by an article in said-space being forced in a direction along said line toward said third portions.

3. The attachment clip of claim 2 in which the second portions overlap and the third portions cross each other.

4. The attachment clip of claim 2 in which the second portions are arcuate.

5. The attachment clip of claim 2 in which the second portions are arcuate and coincide for at least a part thereof and said third portions cross each other to form a generally heart-shaped loop.

References ited UNITED STATES PATENTS 509,529 11/1893 Harris 24237 X 918,196 4/1909 Price. 1,252,262 1/1918 Graham 24139 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Assistant Examiner. 

2. AN ATTACHMENT CLIP FORMED FROM AN ELEMENT EXHIBITING SPRING CHARACTERISTICS INCLUDING A PAIR OF ARMS ADAPTED FOR MOVEMENT IN ADJACENT, GENERALLY PARALLEL PLANES, AND HAVING FIRST PORTIONS SPACED FROM EACH OTHER TO PROVIDE A SPACE FOR RECEIVING AN ARTICLE THEREBETWEEN; EACH OF SAID ARMS BENT BEYOND THE ENDS OF SAID FIRST PORTIONS TO INCLUDE SECOND PORTIONS EXTENDING TOWARD ONE ANOTHER AND THIRD PORTIONS EXTENDING IN DIVERGING DIRECTIONS TO FORM A V, SAID THIRD PORTIONS POSITIONED TO FACILITATE SPREADING OF SAID ARMS WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED BETWEEN THE FREE ENDS THEREOF BY AN ARTICLE FORCED THEREBETWEEN TOWARD SAID SPACE 